OLDIES SUNDAY (Christmas) Yole Derose – Tonton Nwèl Cheri (1989)

Bonjou, hope all is well with you all, and the holiday spirit is active. We have another Christmas selection for you for “Oldies Sunday“. For today’s selection, we head over to Haiti to check out Yole Derose’s “Tonton Nwèl Cheri (Dear Santa Claus)“.

Produced by Ansy Derose and released through Les Producteurs Artistiques in 1989, Yole Derose shares a special message to jolly ol’ St. Nick in “Tonton Nwèl Cheri”. Awaiting his arrival with much eagerness, the Derose takes the role of a child who wishes for gifts on Christmas as her parents are poor and unable to provide them. She makes a request for a doll, but later adds on more items to her list. She also shares of the misfortunes in her household as her parents are unemployed and unable to afford basic necessities, her brother is sick, but pleads that if Santa cannot give toys, at least send something that’s of major importance to the household. The song sheds light on some of the realities that people are facing during the holidays, as it’s not always cheerful singing and gift giving. “Tonton Nwèl Cheri” became a popular Christmas song in Haiti, and was featured on the album, “Quand Mon Cœur Bat La Mesure“, which was released in 1989. Over the years, it has received a number of cover versions, and remains a well-remembered Christmas song in Haiti, and other parts of the world.